Paw-i  - 
^ev. 


\ ' i',  -3- 

•THE 

ADDRESS 


AND 


CONSTITUTION 

OF  THE 


N EW.YO  RK 


K Etr-YO  R'Ki 

Printed  by  T,  and  J.  SWORDS,  No.  99  Peatl-ftrejf*. 


ADDRESS,  &c. 


The  Kew-Tork  'MiJJionary  Sackty 

To  all  thera  that  love  our  Lord  Jcfus  Chrlft 
in  finccrlty. 

VERY  DEAR  BRETHREN, 

F VENTS  have  recently  occurred  which  deeply  in- 
j tercft  every  genuine  Chridian.  We  learn,  from 
Iburces  the  moil  direfl  and  authentic,  that  exertions 
of  uncommon  vigour  are  now  making,  -beyond  the 
Atlantic,  for  extending  the  kingdom  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.  A fpirit  of  jealoufy  for  his  name,  not 
lefs  deciliv'e  than  univerfal,  aiiuates  our  brethren  in 
Britain.  Its  influence  was  firfl  felt  by  the  faithful 
around  the  metropolis;  and  the  impulfe  hath  vibrated 
to  the  extremes  of 'the  ifle.  V/lhie  their  nation  is  in- 
volved in  the  deftrudlive  war  which  convulfes  Europe; 
they  are  devoted  to  the  advancement  of  that  kingdom 
which  is  righteoufnefs,  and  peace,  and  joy  in  the  Holy 
Ghoft.  Large  focieties,  founded  on  evangelical  prin- 
ciples, and  embracing  various  denominations,  have  al- 
ready been  formed,  and  are  rapidly  forming,  for  the 
purpofe  of  propagating  the  gofpel  among  the  unhappy 
Heathen.  With  a magnanimity  worthy  of  Chriftians 
they  have  ficrificed  the  bigotries  of  party  on  the  altar 
of  Apoflolic  zeal.  To  tlie  Eafl,  to  the  South,  to  the 
Wed,  their  ardent  eye  diredls  its  attention.  Unwilling 
to  reftridl  their  efforts  to  their  own  immediate  connec- 
tions, 


( 4 ) 

{rdiis,  it  is  their  noble  defign  to  produce,  if  pofiibleV 

a general  movement  of  the  church  upon  earth.” 

It  was  their  generous  piety  which  gave  rife  to  The 
New-York  Missionary  Society.  It  is  to  folicit 
yoiir  co-operation  in  the  fame  glorious  work,  that  the 
Society  now  addrefies  you ; and  furely,  brethren,  there 
are  confiderations  which  fhould  prompt  us  to  follov/, 
without  delay,  their  great  example.  That  in  Mefliah 
“ all  the  families  of  the  earth  fnail  be  b'lefled,”  is  yet  the 
fubjeit  of  promife.  True  it  is,  that  the  effects  which 
refulted  from  his  “ appearing  to  put  away  fin  by  the  fa- 
“ crifice  of  himfelf,”  were  a pledge  of  its  final  and  illuf- 
trious  accomplifhment.  When  fte  afcencled  up  on  high, 
the  wall  of  partition  between  the  Gentile  and  the  Jew 
was  broken  down : the  river  of  life  potired  its  dreams 
among  the  nations  5 they  watered  the  lot  of  our  Pagan 
progenitors;  they  have  defc^nded  unto'  us,  their  chil> 
dren;  and  v/e,  at  this  hour,  verify  the  gracious  pre- 
diction, “ it  fliall  come  to  pafs  that  in  the  place  where 
“ it  was  faid  unto  them,  ye  are  not  my  people^  there  it 
“ fhall  be  faid  unto  them,  ye  arc  the  fans  of  the  living 

But  although  fplendid  ftcceilions  have  been  made  to 
the  church  of  Chrilf,  there  is  room  for  acceffions  yet 
more  fplendid.  Though  we  enjoy  the  cleared  light  of 
his  gofpel,  there  are  millions  of  our  race  on  whom  it 
never  drone.  There  are  hundreds  of  millions  who  never 
taded  his  falvation,  nor  heard  of  his  name.  Ofthefe,  vad 
numbers  are  in  our  own  land.  They  arc  without  God, 
and  without  hope;  deditute  of  the  means  of  grace,  and 
even  infenfible  to  their  rtiifcry.  Age  after  age  hath  elapf- 
cd,  and  they  dill  fit  in  the  region  and  fhadow  of  death. 
Befides  thefe,  there  are,  on  our  frontiers,  multitudes 
whofe  fituation,  notwithdending  occafional  aid,  entitles 
them  to  our  deeped  commileration — without  the  dated 
preaching  of  the  word — without  the  ordinances  of  thi 


/ 


( 5 ) 

golpcl — without  fanftified  fabbatlis,  or  regular  religious 
inftru(5lion ; many  of  them,  though  called  Chriftians, 
are  Heathen  in  reality. 

If  their  haplefs  ftate  Ibould  excite  our  fympathy, 
the  duty  of  attempting  their  relief  is  too  plain  to  be 
evaded,  r.nd  is  recommended  by  motives  the  moft 
tender  and  forceful.  The  fouls  of  thefe  poor  Pagans, 
and  of  others  in  circumllances  not  lefs  afflidUng,  are 
as  valuable  as  our  own ; they  are  as  capable  as  ourfelves 
of  glorifying  God,  and  of  being  glorified  with  him. 
I'hey  will  be  as  bright  ornaments,  if  faved,  in  the 
crown  of  Jesus  j and,  if  lolf,  as  certain  heirs  ot  the 
wrath  to  come.  ' 

In  their  forlorn  conditiort  we  fee  an  afFedling  picture 
of  what  ourfelves  once  were.  too,  have  fprung 

from  an  infidel  ftock.  IVe,  too,  were  “ aliens  from 

the  commonwealth  of  Ilrael,  and  ftrangers  from  the 
“ covenants  of  promife And  fuch  would  we  have 
been  at  this  day,  had  not  fomc  difciples,  to  whom  we 
are  everlafting  debtors — ftien  “ full  of  faith  and  of 
“ the  Holy  Ghoft,’\put  their  lives  in  their  hands,  and 
preached  to  our  fathers  the  gofpel  of  falvation.  They 
felt  the  authority  of  the  command  which  enjoins  the 
church  to  evangelize  the  nations-,  and  that  command, 
in  all  its  folemnity,  is  binding  upon  us.  Freely  we 
have  received — freely  we  muft  give.  The  lead  ac- 
knowledgement v/hich  the  loving  kindnefs  of  God  our 
Saviour  can  require  at  our  hands,  is  to  “ take  the  cup 
“ of  falvation  d’  to  drink  deeply  for  ourfelves,  and 
Communicate  of  it  to  others.  And  yet,  vvhat  have  we 
done  towards  refeuing  the  Heathen  f:T)m  their  igno- 
rance and  from  their  delufions  ? We  have  prayed  in- 
deed we  are  in  the  habit  of  praying  that  the  king- 
dom of  our  Lord  Jefus  may  come.  But  vvhat  means 
have  we  ufed  for  attaining  the  blefling  ? Where  are 
^he  monuments  of  our  zeal,  of  our  boldnefs,  of  our 

fortitude. 


( 6 ) 

fortitude,  of  our  patience?  I'he  zeal  of  others  who 
have  preceded  us,  is  a ftriking  reproof  to  our  luke- 
warmnefs.  The  labours  of  the  May  hews,  in  the  eaft- 
crn  ftatss,'  in  the  laft  century — of  the  apoftolic  Elliot — 
of  the  indefatigable  Brainerd — anct  the  exertions  of  the 
Moravian  Chriltians,  and  the  fucccfs  which  they  have 
obtained,  at  once  fpeak  fhame  to  our  apathy,  and  en- 
couragement to  our  emulation.  Verily  we  arc  guilty 
in  this  refped:.  We  have  not  realized  the  deplorable 
ftate  of  millions  of  our  fpecies.  We  have  been  con- 
tented with  wiihes,  v/lien  we  were  called  to  adion. 
We  have  folded  our  arms  in  floth,  or  have  wafted 
ourfelves  in  contefts  of  inferior  moment,  when  we 
ftiould  have  confolidated  our  ftrength  in  the  caufe  of 
the  common  falvation.  Surely  our  friend,  our  brother, 
who  delivered  us  from  going  down  to  the  pit,  “ who, 
“ his  own  felf,  bore  our  fins  in  his  own  body  on  the 
tree,”  merited  a more  grateful  recompence.  May 
not  our  backv.ardnefs  in  publiftiing  abroad  his  praifes 
be  a caufe  of  his  controvei  fy  with  us  ? May  it  not  be,  at 
leaft  in  part,  to  corrcd  this  iniquity,  that  vital  godlinefs 
decays  among  ourfelves,  and  the  influences  of  his  good 
Spirit  are  withheld  from  our  devotional  aflemblies? 
Ah ! the  neceftities  of  the  Heathen  have  long  implored 
our  aid,  but  implored  in  vain:  and  if  they  be  ftill  dif- 
regarded,  the  cry  of  their  blood,  fucceeding  to  the  cry 
of  their  wretchednefs,  may  bring  upon  us  a calamity 
v.'hich  fliall  make  the  ears  of  every  one  that  heareth  it 
to  tingle.  Who  knoweth  but  the  Lord,  to  punifh  our 
infenfibility,  may,  by  a fpecial  providence,  transfer  our 
privileges  to  tke  inhabitant  of  the  foreft*,  may  write 
upon  our  temple-doors.  The  glory  is  departed! 
and  while  he  caufes  “ the  defert  to  rejoice  and  blofibm 
“ as  the  rofe-,”  may  abandon  us  to  the  defolating  flood, 
and  convei‘t  our  goodly  heritage  into  a barren  wafte ! 
Beudes  thbfe  confiderations  which  addrcls  our  fenfe 

of 


( 7 ) 

of  gratitude  and  of  intereft,  there  is  anotuer  no  Ie(s 
powerful,  which  arifes  from  the  peculiar  circumRaiKcs 
of  the  times.  Infidelity  abounds.  It  hath  alTumed  an 
imperious  air,  and  glories  in  the  expedation  of  a fpeedy 
extermination  of  thq  religion  of  Jesus.  To  confound 
its  vain  hopes,'  we  are  called  upon  to  fhew,  by  our 
adivity  in  the  caufe  of  truth,  that  the  Spirit  of  Chrifi: 
continues  to  animate  his  body,  that  there  is  ftill  life  and 
energy  in  his  church,  and  that  the  profped  is  as  diftant 
as  ever,  of  “ the  gates  of  hell  prevailing  againft  her.” 

If  then,  dear  brethren,  the  fouls  of  men  are  precious 
in  our  eyes — if  the  honour  of  our  Lord  Jefus  is  an  ob- 
jed  of  our  defire,  or  his  commandment  of  our  reve- 
rence— if  gratitude  for  his  wondrous  love  hath,  not 
fled  from  our  hearts — if  the  confeioufnefs  of  former 
negled  excites  one  emotion  of  fhame,  let  us  roufe  from 
our  lethargy— let  us  ftrive  to  redeem,  by  future  dilir 
gence,  our  loft  opportunities.  While  other  parts  of  the 
church  are  earneft  and  adive,  let  us  not  be  like  a palfied 
limb  in  a living  body.  In  order  to  fecond  the  efforts 
abroad,  by  ftrenuous  efforts  at  home,  let  us,  v.  Ith  cor- 
dial affedion  and  mutual  confidence,  unite  our  luppli- 
cations,  our  counfels,  our  refources.  Should  Me  even 
fail  in  our  immediate  expedations,  we  may  a:d  thofe 
who  fhall  have  better  fuccefs.  And  if  finners  be  brought 
to  the  Saviour,  our  objed  is  gained.  In  the  temple 
above  it  will  make  no  difference  whether  they  v'cre 
gathered  from  the  banks  of  the  Miffifippi,  the  Gambia, 
or  the  Ganges- 

But,  to  effed  any  part  of  fo  vaft  a defign,  good 
wifhes  are  not  fufficient.  The  w'ifcft  and  rnoft  bene- 
volent plan  muft  be  defeated  without  encouragement 
of  a different  kind*,  we  a(k,  therefore,  brethren,  a 
portion  of  your  worldly  fubftaiice — -we  afk  it  in  the  name 
of  HIM  whofe  you  are,  and  whom  you  ferve.  “ Ye 
‘‘  know  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jefus  Ch/ift,  that  though 

“ he 


( 8 ) 

he  was  rich,  yet  for  your  fakes  he  became  p>oor,  that 
“ ye,  through  his  poverty,  might  be  rich.”  You  have 
nothing  but  what  you  receive  from  his  bounty.  Hs 
poured  out  his  foul  ^or  you-,  and  is  it  a great  matter,  if, 
with  a pittance  of  your  carnal  things,  you  minifter  to 
the  interefcs  of  his  kingdom  r Let  wealthy  Chrlftians 
remember,  that  “ the  liberal  devifcth  liberal  things,  and 
“ by  liberal  things  fliall  he  ftand.”  Let  the  widow  throw 
in  her  mite,  be  it  ever  fo  fmall.  bier  offering  of  love 
will  neither  be  rejedled  of  God,  nor  ufelefs  to  man.  As 
drops  from  heaven  create  the  mighty  torrent,  fo  the 
feebleft  powers,  in  combination,  produce  an  aftonlfhing 
refultj  and  accomplifh,  with  cafe,  what  theory  would 
have  pronounced  incredible,  if  not  impoffible. 

Such,  brethren,  are  our  intentions,  and  fuch  our  rcr 
quells.  Shall  we,  in  propofing  them,  incur  the  danger 
of  repulfe  ^ Muft  we  be  difheartened  by  reludlance,  or 
mortified  by  objec5lion  ? Will  any  one  flight  our  under- 
taking as  romantic  and  chimerical?  Will  he  paint  to 
us  the  perils  of  the  wildernefs — the  favagenefs  of  the 
Heathen — their  roving  difpofition — their  diverfified 
fpeech — their  cuftoms  in  every  thing  abhorrent  from 
civilized  life?  Will  he  dwell  on  the  improbability 
of  obtaining  fuitable  miffionaries  ? On  the  difpropor- 
tion  of  our  means  to  the  end  we  have  in  view  ? Will  he 
recal  the  fuccefslefs  iffue  of  fome  former  attempts,  and 
thence  predidl  the  difappointment  of  our  hopes  ? 

To  all  fuch  objeftions  vye  reply,  “ In  the  name  of 
“ OUR  God  we  lift  up  our  banners” — We  know 
that  the  fervice  is  difficult — We  have  not  amufed  our- 
felves  with  the  dream  of  progrefs  without  obftacle,  and 
vi£5tory  without  refinance.  But  we  know  alfo,  that  in  dif- 
ficult fervices  the  grace  of  Jefus,  and  the  fower  of  faith, 
are  moft  confpicuous.  W hen  the  honours  of  the  crcfs, 
and  the  eterital  welfare  of  men  are  at  flake,  wt  mufl  not 
confer  with  flcfli  apd  blood,”  It  is  criminal  timidity 

which 


( 9 ) 

which  'tfhifpers,  “ there  Is  a lion  In  tlie  way — I lhall  be 
“ flain  in  the  ftrcets.”  I'Ve  cannot  encounter  more  lieart- 
breaking  oppofition  than  was  encountered,  in  a fimilar 
enterprffe,  by  the  apoftles  of  the  Lamb,  and  by  the 
blefled  Reformers.  Thofe  apoftles  and  reformers  who 
always  triumphed  in  Christ — triumphed  when  Perfe- 
cution  waved  over  their  heads  her  fcourge  of  blood,  and 
kindled  around  them  the  fires  of  martyrdom.  With 
Jefs  to  difmay,  we  have  as  much  to  encourage.  If  in 
the  might  of  him  who  hath  “ all  power  in  heaven  and 
“ in  earth,  they  were  more  than  conquerors-,”  in  his 
might  can  conquer  too.  Nay,  there  is  nothing  more 
formidable  in  the  experiment  which  we  contemplate, 
than  in  a believer’s  daily  w arfare  “ with  principalities  and 
“ powers,  and  fpiritual  wickedneflhs.”  “ God  rcigneth 
“ over  the  heathen.  God  is  king  of  all  the  earth.”  The 
filver  is  his\  the  gold  is  bis:  The  difpofitlons  of  men 
are  under  bis  controul : His  grace  can  fix  tlie  wandering, 
and  humanize  the  cruel;  can  quicken  thafluggifh,  ren- 
der the  fordid  generous,  and  embolden  the  fearful ; can 
beftow  an  apoftlic  fpirit  for  apoftolic  work ; can  make 
worm  Jacob  threfh  the  mountains.”  Let  our  hearts, 
then,  fwell  with  refolution,  and  beat  high  with  hope. 
“ Glorious  things  are  fpoken  of  the  city  of  God.  For 
“ thus  faith  the  Lord,  I will  extend  peace  to  her  like 
“ a river,  and  the  glory  of  the  gentiles  like  a flowing 
“ ftream.  I will  lift  up  mine  hand  to  the  gentiles, 
“ and  fet  my  ftandard  to  the  people;  and  they  fhall 
“ bring  thy  fons  on  their  arms,  and  thy  daughters  fhall 
“ be  carried  upon  their  fhoulders.  Faithful  is  he  who 
“ hath  promifed,  who  alfo  will  do  it.”  And  diftin- 
guifhed  will  be  our  honour,  brethren,  if  he  vouchfafe 
to  employ  us  as  inftruments  in  the  fulfilment  of  his 
word.  Should  he  even,  in  his  fearchlefs  wifdom,  not 
permit  our  attempt  to  have  the  defired  effect,  the  at- 
tempt itfelf  fhall  turn  to  us  for  a teftimonv,  and  fhall 

B corns 


( lO  ) \ 

come  up,  in  memorial,  before  his  throne;  vvkn  the 
pageantries  of  the  world  pafs  into  oblivion.  \ 
Finally,  brethren,  we  intreat  that  our  inftitutiok  may 
not  De  mifunderftood.  Let  not  fufpicion  view  it  as  a 
political  combination.  The  kingdom  of  Chrift,  that 
kingdom  which  we  have  united  to  promote,  is  not  of 
this  world.  We  moft  folemnly  difclaim  all  intention 
of  aflbclating  for  any  political  or  party- purpofes  what- 
ever. Neither  let  it  be  interpreted  as  a confpiracy 
againft  the  outward  diftInfHons  that  prevail  among  us. 
With  equal  folemnity  we  difclaim  all  intention  of 
interfering,  direftly  or  indire<5tly,  with  the  internal 
arrangements  or  other  peculiarities  of  any  Chriftian 
denomination.  The  only  end  of  our  aflbeiation 
is  that  which,  in  finglenefs  of  heart,  we  have  pub- 
licly avowed,  the  promulgation  of  the  gofpel  of  cur 
Lord  Jefus  Chrift.  To  this,  all  who  love  him  will 
fay,  notwithftanding  their  fmaller  differences,  God 
fpeed ! Under  fo  pleafing  an  impreflion,  brethren,  we 
commit  ourfelves  and  our  undertaking  to  God  and  to 
you.  Without  the  arrogance  of  didating,  we  beg  leave 
to  recommend  the  immediate  formation  of  fimllar  focie- 
tles  throughout  the  continent.  Your  own  acquaintance 
with  your  local  fituation  qualifies  you  to  judge  how 
large  a diilricl  each  ought  to  include.  Let  agreement 
in  the  great  doctrines  of  grace  be  the  bafis  of  aflbeia- 
tlon.  While  this  will  be  a principle  of  energy  in  each 
fociety,  it  will  be  a ftrong  tie  of  connection  to  the 
whole ; and  will  enable  them  to  concert  and  to  condud 
a plan  of  harmonious  and  efficient  co-operation.  The 
hearty  concurrence  of  Chriftians  of  different  denomi- 
nations in  a fcheme  fo  interelling  to  them  all,  will  be  a 
token  for  good,  that  the  Lord  is  about  to  build  up 
Zion,  and  to  appear  in  his  glory.  Amen.  Even  fo: 
come  Lord  Jesus  ! 


I 


& > 


■! 


CONSTITUTION 

OF  THE 


NEmrORK  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY. 


InJVitnied  November  i,  1796. 


5 


( 13  ) 


CONSTITUTION. 


1.  GENERAL  DESIGN. 


I. 


This  foclety  fhall  be  called,  The  New-York. 
Missionary  Society. 

2.  The  efforts  of  the  fociety  fhall  be  exclufivcly  di- 
refted  to  the  propagation  of  the  glorious  gofpel  of 
Chrift,  in  places  which  are  deftitute  of  it,  and  of  the 
means  of  obtaining  it:  nor  fhall  any  bufinefs,  not  im- 
mediately relative  to  this  objeft,  be  difcuflcd  at  any  of 
their  meetings. 

3.  That  the  world  may  be  fatisHed  as  to  the  reli- 
gious principles  which  they  embrace  for  themfclves, 
and  refolve  to  propagate  among  others,  their  view  of 
the  great  outlines  of  thedodlrine  of  falvation  is  exhibit- 
ed  in  the  following  propofitions : That  in  Jehovah, 
the  one  only  living  and  true  God,  there  are  three  per- 
fons  equal  in  all  divine  perfections,  the  Father,  the  Son, 
and  the  Holy  Ghoft — That  Jehovah,  who  created  all 
things  for  his  own  glory,  made  our  firft  parents  up- 
right, and  entered  into  covenant  with  them  for  them- 
felves,  and  for  their  pofterity — That  in  their  fail,  all 
mankind  fell;  that  they  are,  by  nature,  children  of 
wrath ; are  totally  depraved,  being  dead  in  trefpaffes 
and  fins ; and,  with  refpeCl  to  any  created  power,  are 
without  help  and  without  hope — That  in  virtue  of  a 
covenant  eftablifned,  'from  everlafting,  with  him  as  the 
^ federrd 


( 14  ) 

federal  head  of  the  eledion  of  grace,  the  Ikjrd  Jefus 
Chrift,  the  eternal  Son  of  the  Father,  was  manifefted 
in  the  flefli,  by  aduming  the  human,  into  a perfonal 
union  with  his  divine,  nature — That  being,  in  one 
perfon,  very  God  and  very  man,  he,  as  the  furety  of  his 
people,  yielded  perfeft  obedience  to  the  precept  of  the 
divine  law;  and  endured  its  penalty  to  the  uttermod, 
in  pouring  out  his  foul  unto  death  as  a true  and  proper 
facrifice  and  atonement  for  their  fins — That  his  righ- 
teoufnefs,  confiding  of  both  his  obedience  and  fuffer- 
ings,  freely  imputed  to  them,  and  received  by  faith,  is 
the  foie  ground  of  their  acceptance  with  God,  and  of 
their  title  to  eternal  life — 1'hat  they  are  Tnade  alive 
unto  God;  are  vitally  united  with  the  I.ord  Jefus ; are 
fan(5tified,  and  rendered  meet  for  heaven,  by  the  effica- 
cious and  almighty  energy  of  the  Holy  Spirit — That 
the  word  and  ordinances  are  the  great  means  which  he 


employs  in  beginning,  carrying  on,  and  completing  his 
work  of  grace  in  the  heart — That  there  is  an  inlepara- 
ble  connexion  between  free  pardon  and  the  pradice  of 
holinefs — That  all  who  are  juftified  by  the  merit,  and 
regenerated  by  the  Spirit,  of  Chrift,  are  kept  by  the 
power  of  God  through  faith  unto  falvatlon — And  that 
there  will  be  a general  refurredlion  of  the  dead,  both  of 
the  juft  and  of  the  unjuft;  and  a final  retribution  by  Jefus 
Chrift,  who  will  adjudge  the  righteous  to  endlefs  life, 
and  the  wicked  to  endlefs  puniftiment. 

4.  The  fociety  will  cordially  correfpond  and  co-ope- 
rate with  other  Societies  which  now  exift,  or  may  here- 
after exift,  in  any  nation  or  part  of  the  world ; or  with 
individuals,  who,  agreeing  with  them  in  thefe  important 
truths,  incline  to  aid  the  profecution  of  their  defign. 


II.  OFFICERS  AND  DIRECTORS. 


I.  The  officers  of  the  fociety  to  be  chofen  annually, 
by  ballot,  fhall  be. 


A Presidi-nt, 


( 15  ) 

A PaE'in^T,  to  preferve  regularity  and  decorum 
in  the  pro:e«ings  of  the  fociety  when  met  •,  and  for 
that  end  co  l^te  queftions  •,  confine  fpeakers  to  the  fub- 
jert  under  (/fcufTion ; give  the  cafting  vote  in  all  equal 
divifionsj  and  generally,  to  enforce  fuch  rules,  both  of 
order  and  of  bufinefs,  as  the  fociety  may  enadt. 

A Vice-President,  who,  in  the  abfence  of  thePre- 
fident,  fliall  take  his  placp,  and  perform  his  duties. 

A 'J'reasurer,  to  receive  the  monies,  make  the  dif- 
burfements,  and  keep  the  accounts  of  the  fociety ; who 
fhall  give  fufficient  fecurity  to  the  Dircdlors  for  the 
faithful  difeharge  of  his  truft. 

A Secretary,  to  condudl:  their  correfpondence, 
under  the  fuperintendance  of  the  Direflors ; and 

A Clerk,  to  record  their  proceedings. 

2.  There  fhall  be  chofen  annually,  by  ballot,  twelve 
perfons,  who,  together  with  the  officers,  fhall  conftituta 
a Board  of  Direftors.  Seven  fhall  be  a quorum. 

3.  It  fhall  be  the  duty  of  the  Diredlors  to  colledl  and 
prepare  for  the  confideration  of  the  fociety,  all  fuch  in- 
formation as,  in  their  judgment,  fhall  be  neceflary  for 
forming  any  general  arrangements ; to  inquire  after,  ap- 
prove, inflruft,  fend  out,  and  watch  over,  miffionaries-, 
to  apply,  to  the  objeds  of  the  alTociation,  fuch  of  the  re- 
gular income  as  fhall  not  be  referved  by  the  fociety  for 
their  own  fpecial  difpofal ; to  lay  before  the  fociety,  at 
every  ordinary  meeting,  a concife  fummary  of  their, 
proceedings : and  the  better  to  difeharge  the  truft  re- 
pofed  in  them,  they  fhall  be  empowered  either  to  adfc 
all  together,  or  to  fubdivide  themfelves  into  different 
committees,  fubjed  to  the  diredion  of  the  whole,  as 
they  fhall  find  moft  convenient  and  advantageous. 

4.  The  Diredors  fliall  meet  ftatedly,  at  leaft  once  a 
quarter  •,  and  fhall  always  meet  on  or  before  the  Mon- 
day immediately  preceding  the  general  meeting  of  the 
fociety.  This  meeting  of  the  Diredors  may  coincide 
with  a quarterly  meeting,  if  found  convenient. 


5.  On 


( ) \ 

5.  On  the  deceafe,  or  refignation  of  any  if  the  offi- 
cers, the  Diredtors  ffiall  fill  up  the  vacancy  tijj  the  next  j 
meeting  of  the  fociety. 

III.  GENERAL  MEETINGS.  > 

1.  The  fociety  (hall  meet  annually,  at  the  city  of! 
New-York,  on  the  firft  Tuefday  in  November;  for  I 
the  purpofe  of  receiving  the  report  of  the  Dlredlors — 
examining  the  ftate  of  their  finances — clefting  their 
officers,  &c. — and  concerting-  meafures  for  profccuting, 
to  effe(5l,  the  great  interefts  of  the  afibciation.  Twenty- 
one  members  ffiall  be  a quorum. 

2.  At  every  annual  meeting,  one  or  more  fermons 
ffiall  be  preached,  by  a minifter  or  minifters  of  the  afib- 
ciation,  appointed  at  the  laft  annual  meeting,  and  a col- 
lection made  for  the  benefit  of  the  fociety.  Shcidd  any 
thing,  during  the  recefs  of  the  fociety,  fruftrate  theii 
appointment,  a new  one  ffiall  be  made  by  the  Direc- 
tors. 

3.  All  publications,  in  the  name  of  the  fociety,  fi-ial' 
be  refolved  upon  in  a general  meeting  -,  ffiall  be  figned 
by  their  Secretary ; committed  to  the  Directors  to  be 
printed  at  the  fociety’s  expence,  and  difpofed  of  on  fheit 
account;  and  all  monies  arifing  from  the  fale  thereof, 
fhall  be  immediately  paid  into  rhe  treafury. 

4.  Befides  the  ordinary  meetings  of  the  fociety,  tin 
Directors,  upon  any  urgent  occafion,  ffiall  call  a fpecia 
meeting;  of  which  the  members  ffiall  be  informed  by  f 
written  intimation  from  the  Secretary. 

5.  All  meetings  of  the  fociety  fiiali  be  opened  anc 
clofed  with  prayer. 

IV.  ADMISSION  OF  MEMBERS. 

1.  Perfons  may  be  admitted  from  all  religious  de 
no.minations  indifcriminatcly. 

2.  Every  perfon  propofed  for  admiffion  mufi  bi  , 

rccommendcc 


( ^\7  ) 

tccoramended,  in  writing,  by  at  leaft  two  of  the  mem- 
bers, as  friendly  to  the  objed  and  principles  of  the  focic- 
tv,  and  a^of  Chriftian  deportment. 

3.  The  power  of  admitting  members  is  lodged  in 
the  board  of  diredion  but  the  votes  of  two-thirds  of 
the  Diredors  prefent,  taken  by  ballot,  fhall  be  ncceflary 
to  an  eledion. 

4.  The  fociety  referves  to  itfelf  the  power  of  cleding 
honorary  members. 

5.  Every  member  (honorary  ones  excepted)  (ball 
fubferibe  the  conftitution  of  the  fociety,  previoufly  to  his 
being  admitted  to  a feat. 

6.  Every  member  (honorary  ones  excepted,  with 
whom  it  fhall  be  optional)  fliall  pay  into  the  treafury^ 
on  his  eledion,  a fum  not  lefs  than  two  dollars  and  an 
half-,  and  a further  yearly  fum  of  not  lefs  than  tw  o dol- 
lars. 

7.  Every  congregation  or  aflbeiation  which  favours 
the  dehgn  of  the  fociety,  fliall  be  entitled  to  fend  one 
delegate  for  every  fum  equal  to  that  required  from  in- 
dividual members-,  and  every  fuch  delegate,  on  com- 
plying with  the  fecond  and  fifth  regulations  under  this 
head,  fliall  enjoy  all  the  privileges  of  a member  without 
a formal  eledion. 

8.  Members  who  fliall  be  found  hoftile  to  the  reli- 
gious principles  of  the  fociety,  as  fet  forth  In  this  con- 
ftitution, or  immoral  in  their  condud,  fliall  forfeit  theij 
niemberfliip. 

V.  MISSIONARIES  and  other  TEACHERS. 

1.  Every  mlflionary,  or  other  teacher,  fhall  be  ap- 
pointed by  the  Diredors. 

2.  The  Diredors  are  to  ufe  their  utmoft  diligence, 
in  afeertaining  the  orthodoxy,  piety,  talents,  zeal  and 
prudence  of  miflionaries;  and  on  no  account  whatever 
to  employ  perfons  of  a dubious  charader. 

C 


3- 


( ) 

§.  In  cafes  where  it  is  thought  proper  that  k mif. 
fionary  be  ordained,  he  fhall  be  remitted,  for  ordina- 
tion,  to  his  particular  religious  connedions  •,  and  at  the 
fame  time  fliall  be  confidered  as  fent  out  by  the  fociety 
at  large  i and  lhall  equally  enjoy  their  countenance  and 
fupport. 

4.  Befldes  mifiionaries,  the  fociety  will  gladly,  as 
their  refources  fhall  permit,  embrace  opportunities  of 
cftablifhing  catechifts,  or  other  teachers  of  approved 
piety,  and  foundnefs  in  the  faith. 

5.  Mifiionaries,  or  other  teachers,  who  fhall  prove 
diforderly  or  unfaithful  in  the  difcharge  of  their  duty, 
may  be  fufpended  by  the  Diredors,  from  the  fervice  of 
the  fociety  till  their  next  general  meeting. 

6.  All  mifiionaries  and  teachers  fhall  receive  fuch 
falarles  as  the  Diredors  fhall  appoint:  but  their  ap- 
pointments fhall  be  fubjed  to  the  revifion  of  the  fociety. 


VI.  FUNDS. 

1 . The  fources  from  which  the  revenue  of  the  fociety 
is  contemplated  to  arife,  are  the  ftated  fubfcription  of 
members — public  colledions — the  fale  of  the  fociety’s 
publications— and  the  liberal  benefadions  of  focieties, 
and  benevolent  individuals. 

2.  If  there  be  in  the  treafury  a conflderable  furplu- 
fage  unappropriated,  and  for  which  there  is  no  profped 
cf  a fpeedy  appropriation,  the  Treafurer,  by  the  advice 
of  the  Diredors,  fhall  loan  it,  in  truft,  at  lawful  intcrefl, 
on  good'fecurity  j or  difpofe  of  it  in  fome  other  manner 
equally  fa^b  and  produdive. 

3.  No  ilionies  fhall  be  paid  by  the  Treafurer  without 
an  order  froin  the  fociety,  or  from  the  Diredors,  to  the 
amount  to  wWh  they  authorlfed  to  draw. 

4.  The  fociety  will  confider  themfelves  at  liberty  to 
apply  immedia6cly  to  the  purpofes  of  their  inftitution, 
not  only  their  ordinary  funds,  but  all  donations  for  the 
difpofal  of  which  t\^c  donors  fliall  not  otherwife  dired. 

V VII.  FRO- 


( ’9  ) 

VII.  PROVISION  ARY  ARTICLES. 

1.  No  alteration  (hall  be  made  in  this  conftitiition 
.inlefs  it  be  previoufly  fubmitted  to  the  Board  of  Direc- 
tors and  by  them  laid  before  the  fociety  at  their  next 
ftated  meeting. 

2.  In  thofe  cafes,  however,  in  which  a propofal  for 
alteration  fhall  be  not  be  approved  by  the  Direftors, 
It  may  be  brought  by  the  propofer  immediately  before 
the  fociety,  but  it  fhall  lie  over  for  confideration  till  the 
next  ordinary  meeting. 

By  order  of  the  Society^ 

JOHN  M.  MASON,  Secretary. 

New-Tork,  Nov.  ift,  1796. 


Officers  and  other  Directors  for  the  enfuingyear. 
OFFICERS. 

Rev.  JOHN  RODGERS,  D.  D.  President. 

Rev  TOHN  H.  LIVINGSTON,  D.  D.  Vice-President. 
ALEXANDER  ROBERTSON,  Ei'q.  Treasurer. 

‘Rev.  JOHN  M.  MASON,  Secretary. 

Rev.  JOHN  N.  ABEEL,  Clerk. 

OTHER  DIRECTORS. 

Rev.  William  Linn,  D.  D. 

Rev.  John  M'Knight,  D.  D. 

Rev.  Benjamin  Foster,  D.  D. 

Rev.  Gerardus  A.  Kuyeers. 

Rev.  Samuel  Miller. 

Leonard  Bleecker,  Efq. 

John  Broome,  Efq. 

Thomas  Mackaness,  Efq. 

Mr.  Thomas  Storm. 

Mr.  Ezekiel  Robins. 

Mr.  George  Lindsay. 

Mr.  John  Murray. 

Donations  to  the  fociety  will  he  thankfully  received 
hy  their  Treafurer,  Alexander  Robertson,  Efq;  No. 
191  Pearl-ftreet;  or  by  any  other  of  the  Directors. 

Communications,  relative  to  the  objeiis  of  the  fociety,  are 
to  be  addreffied  to  the  Secretary. 


